KINGSTON PARK — Newcastle Red Bulls defeated Sale Sharks 45-42 in a Premiership Rugby match at Kingston Park, completing the biggest comeback in club history after trailing 35-10 at halftime. Alex Hearle scored a hat-trick, including the match-winning try in the final play of the game after the 80-minute mark.

The victory marked Newcastle’s second league win of the season and their first since January 2, ending a 547-day winless streak. Newcastle’s 45-point tally was their highest in five years.

Sale Sharks scored six tries in the match—by Tom Roebuck, Seb Kelly, O’Flaherty, Joe Carpenter, Alfie Longstaff, and Arron Reed—with George Ford adding six conversions. Roebuck opened the scoring after just 61 seconds, and Sale built a commanding lead with four tries in the first 24 minutes.

Newcastle’s comeback began in the second half, aided by a goal-line stand that repelled sustained Sale pressure. Christie scored his second try with 13 minutes left following a pass from Healy, and Hearle added his second in the 72nd minute after another delayed pass from Healy. The decisive try originated from Newcastle’s own 22-meter line after the 80-minute mark, finished by Hearle.

Interim Newcastle head coach Stephen Jones said: "Defensively we gave them too much time on the ball and we addressed that in the second half." He added: "The mentality and bravery of the boys to be able to ask the question, 70 metres from the line (in the final minute), I loved the intent and we got our reward off the back of it. Everybody associated with the club deserves that victory."